Mashko sat down and wrote. When he had finished, he gave the written sheet to Pan Stanislav, who read as follows:—
“I testify this day that I attacked Pan Mashko while I was drunk, in a state of unconsciousness, and without giving myself account of what I was saying. To-day, having become sober, in presence of my seconds, the seconds of Pan Mashko, and the persons who were present at the scene, I acknowledge my act as rude and senseless, and turn with the greatest sorrow and contrition to the good sense and kindness of Pan Mashko, begging him for forgiveness, and acknowledging publicly that his conduct was and is in everything above the judgment of men like me.”
“Gantovski is to declaim this, and then subscribe it,” said Mashko.
“This is devilishly unmerciful; no one will agree to it,” said Pan Stanislav.
“Dost thou acknowledge that this fool has permitted to himself something unheard of with reference to me?”
“I do.”
“And remember what result this adventure may have for me?”
“It is impossible to know that.”
“Well, I know; but I will tell thee only this much,—those ladies will regret from their souls that they are bound to me, and will use every pretext which will excuse them before society. That is certain; I am ruined almost beyond rescue.”
“The devil!”